I was so excited to see a stripes-themed challenge for this week. My mind was racing...what lucky striped item will it be? My comfy AT tee? The DIY ruffle dress? Or my classic AT sheath? Then I realized I only got tops and dresses from jcpenney (as a petite woman shopping in a regular-sized line, I steered clear of the hardest-to-fit garment: pants), and nothing coordinated with my striped things.

After much debate, I ended up choosing a draped navy sheath (comes with a tie belt) that fits me decently with some room to give. As for the stripes component...I'm making the belt count : ) These boots were an eBay find from several years ago. We know older or vintage clothing runs small, but did you know the same goes for shoes? I know many women aren't ok with pre-owned shoes, but there are some online that are unworn, or barely worn in pristine condition. These $30 boots are leather, size 6, made in Italy, with a 13" calf circumference and a 14" shaft height. Almost perfect. They hit smack at my knee bend, which is my pet peeve, so I wear them cuffed.
I'm still on the hunt for classic boots with the perfect fit. Readers and fellow bloggers - please help make your short-legged friend's boot dreams come true by sharing any relevant finds this season. Wanted: 13" tall, 13" or less calf circumference boots with an almond toe, either flat riding style or with a simple ~3.5" heel.Brown or black. I have heard tales of boot alterations both in shaft height as well as width, but I'm hesitant. I know they run very steep (maybe $80+) with no guarantee of success.

Sleeeepy!Snapped these early in the morning, in the cold and rain (typical, Boston!).

If my makeup looks different here, it's because I spent the weekend with Khatu who trimmed my brows, liberally bronzed my face, introduced new mascara, and shared her secret for glowing skin: drinking bottles and bottles of water per day.

Disclosure: This campaign is produced by Style Coalition and sponsored by jcpenney.

I have the Intyce boots by Steve Madden. The shaft is 15 inches and the heel height is about 1.25 inches (not exactly what you wanted) but the height doesn't bother me at all cause it doesn't reach to my knees at all.

I love your outfit, especially the neck scarf. I do hope you find those dream boots. I had no idea they do alterations for them, either. $80+ is an extremely risky for something that may or may not work :p

What a fun way to spend the weekend - getting style tips from a good friend! Love the new make-up look (but your usual technique is also so pretty). What products did Khatu use? Your cheeks are glowing!

For riding boots that fit, order actual horseback riding boots custom. You might even be able to find them in your specs. I remember my friends that ride telling me to do the same (the shaft is always too tall for my shins) since riding boots can either be custom made or found in more sizes and fits.

Finding boots that fit is a pain, isn't it? It's usually boots that come from "higher-end" designers that come with smaller shafts, at least in width. I've had success with altering the width of a shaft, but I would imagine that altering the height of the shaft would be much easier.

At first page open, the bronze is noticeable. I have love for you and Khatu both, of course! but I think the old brows and lighter complexion fit your classic persona more closely. :) As for boots, I have the opposite problem with calf circumference from years of soccer!

that scarf is so pretty and i love this dress! and great tip on the water -- i'm always reminding myself to drink more too!

as for the bronzing, it's a nice change of pace from the everyday look (although i think maybe a little more blending along the cheekbones would make it look less harsh, but it's personal preference). lovely as always!

GOR-GEOUS! Definitely different, maybe it's the makeup? Idk, but the outfit is looks very nice. (= Haha, yeah you look sleepy on the last shot... looking at it makes me sleepy too. I wish it rained more in Hawaii, like it does there. I love the rain! Too much Sun here.

I love this outfit! I'm also forever in the hunt for classic knee high boots for my scrawny 12-inch calf! I can never wear a dress or skirt with my boots! btw, could you pls do a post on what to wear/pack for travel during winter? I'm going to nyc in November and I don't know what to bring! Pls help! :-)

Hi Jean! Ha, I was thinking you look more like khatu in these pictures before I read your note. I always look for boots a bit of elastic in the calf for the perfect fit. I love the cole haan and stuart weitzman flat boots but they are way too pricey for my (poor student) budget.

Jean, you look pretty in this outfit, and the scarf and pearls compliment it well.

For the make-up, you look nicer without the bronzer. Your previous brows seemed to frame your face better and gave you a youthful appearance. With these newly trimmed brows, the length seems to stop just short of where you'd naturally expect them to end, maybe due in part to the way the darker eyeshadow has been applied. It also makes your eyelids appear a tad puffy although I know that they probably aren't. I'm probably just nitpicking, but you look beautiful with your natural skin colour and your previous brows. It's fun to try out different looks though.

You have such a talent for putting together different outfits. Thanks for sharing them with us.

You look so chic! Love the Gucci scarf (can't believe it's the first time I noticed it) and the new boots. I really want a pair of riding boots too but already bought a pair of boots from H&M so I have the luxury of time.

...and I may have to echo some of the sentiments expressed earlier (though I have to say the change is not as obvious in person), I like your more subtle makeup application (not that I know anything about make up or how to apply it properly) better, it just seems to suit you and your style?

I've been on a mad search for the last couple years for a pair of cognac boots as well. The ones I've worn for three, maybe four years now are giving out on me. I just purchased a pair of Steve Maddens from Ideeli for way more than I would have ever wanted to pay (still cringing) but I hope they work. I love how cognac goes with everything - that's why I was willing to make the investment.

Your ebay score is pretty nice! I was trying to see what kind of heel they have on them, but no luck! :)I hope you find your dream pair too!

I like your natural makeup better. I think you put together a nice outfit, but it might be a little too mature for your age. I know you like to dress older (because of your petite size.) but I feel that this outfit is fit for a 40yr old lady.

I hope you (and your readers) won't get upset with my opinion. Your outfits are lovely, but it'll be refreshing to see some age appropriate outfits.

I love the scarf! And as for petite boots -- I'm on the hunt for very nearly the same thing, and they're just impossible to find. Why does the shaft always have to be SO long on every pair of boots I like? The only luck I've ever had is shopping from the kids' section, but when you're looking for a boot with a proper heel...well, you're not going to find that in the Girls 7-16 department!

Great job with the Parisian outfit! Funny, I think I have almost the exact same boots as you. I found mine at a thrift/vintage store in Rome when I was traveling around Italy. They are the same color, knee-high, and size 36 (or 6). :D

Aah! I have a pair in black, now looking for any other colors, like brown..cognac. Excellent suggestion, these are the only ones that I have found within price range that are what we are all looking for! Found some currently on Poshmark app brand new, for under $100. Too small for me, but someone needs these!

I just ordered these kids riding boots from Zara (http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2011/130511/418531/RIDING%2BBOOT%2BWITH%2BBUCKLE). I haven't received them yet but the shaft height and style looks great! Too bad it doesn't have a heel but at $60 and real leather it might be worth it to have :)

You always look chic Jean even in your sleepy state ;) I love this outfit on you the most - although I am sure there will be more MNG challeges coming along and I shall change my mind after seeing more.

Recently I checked out your voluminous puff bun tutorial and fell in love with the style. I went to ebay right away to buy the velcra and twisty pins. The velcra came home this weekend but not the twisty pins so I attempted to make a bun like you - suffice to say it did not come out as perfect as yours ;( I guess this style is one that will need practice to be perfect. You can see my excuse for a puff at my blog:

your eyebrows looked so much more youthful and nicer before and your skin glowed before. now it looks dull and tired. you are so naturally gorgeous and its a shame to hide it under all that bronzer. i hate to say this but this was a terrible makeover!

I have a pair of Jessica Simpson Capry boots in black that fit me really well. I'm the same size as you are (5' tall, 0P or XS from all the same stores), and these are a tad bigger than you're going for at the top (I haven't measured, but it says they're 15"), but I think they're meant to be worn with pants tucked in (I hate that look). I wear leggings or thick tights & they're fine. No slouching & they hit about 2" below my knee crease.